Escape and Evasion is a gripping 2019 Australian war drama directed by Storm Ashwood that delves deep into the psychological and emotional toll of warfare. While many war films focus on combat and heroism, Escape and Evasion takes a different approach, exploring the haunting aftermath of battle and the inner turmoil faced by soldiers after they return home. The movie is a harrowing tale of survival, guilt, and the cost of war, focusing on a protagonist haunted by his experiences.
The story follows Seth, an Australian soldier and lone survivor of a botched mission in Myanmar. Played by Josh McConville, Seth struggles to reintegrate into civilian life after the trauma of losing his comrades during the mission. Plagued by guilt, nightmares, and PTSD, Seth withdraws from his family and the world, finding it increasingly difficult to escape the horrors of war.
However, Seth’s past is not easily left behind. A determined journalist, Rebecca (Bonnie Sveen), begins investigating the mysterious circumstances surrounding the ill-fated mission. As she delves deeper, Seth’s tightly guarded secrets begin to unravel, leading to a tense confrontation between his desire for isolation and the growing demand for accountability.
Through Seth’s journey, the film explores the long-term effects of war on soldiers, the lingering mental scars, and the heavy burden of survivor’s guilt. It also questions the ethics of war and the consequences of decisions made on the battlefield that ripple through the lives of those involved.